How to say it
ZAH · ra
ˈzɑːr.ə
Feminine
Zahra
Radiant, blooming flower
What it means
Arabic, 'radiant,' 'shining,' or 'blooming flower.'
Zahra comes from the Arabic for 'radiant' or 'blooming flower,' and az-Zahra, 'the shining one,' is a title of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter, deeply honored across the Muslim world. Bright and graceful, it pairs in sound with Zara and Sarah. Said ZAH-rah.
How to spell Zahra
The standard spelling is Zahra. Common variants include Zara, Zhara, Zahrah, but Zahra is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #540 in 2025, currently #540 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
Az-Zahra, 'the shining one,' is a title of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.
- Spelling
Close in sound to Zara and Sarah.
Who's worn it
- Zahra Rahnavard Iranian academic and political figure prominent in the 2009 Green Movement
Spelling variants
- Zara
- Zhara
- Zahrah
Names with the same feeling
See Zahra from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Zahra mean?
- Arabic, 'radiant,' 'shining,' or 'blooming flower.'
- What does Zahra mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Zahra means "Radiant, blooming flower." Zahra comes from the Arabic for 'radiant' or 'blooming flower,' and az-Zahra, 'the shining one,' is a title of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter, deeply honored across the Muslim world. Bright and graceful, it pairs in sound with Zara and Sarah. Said ZAH-rah.
- How do you pronounce Zahra?
- Zahra is pronounced ˈzɑːr.ə. Say it as ZAH-ra, with the stress on the "zah" syllable.
- How do you spell Zahra?
- The standard spelling is Zahra. Common spelling variants include Zara, Zhara, Zahrah.
- Is Zahra a boy or girl name?
- Zahra is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Zahra?
- Zahra ranked #540 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.